Ring in the New School Year with These Must-See Videos

Most have been around for a while. You probably have seen most of them before. Perhaps there are some that you haven't yet seen. Whatever the case, each of the following videos is worth watching again. It is important from time to time to refocus, and what better time than now - at the start of a new school year.

Keep in mind, this is just a small sampling of the many excellent videos that are out there on 21st Century education, motivation, etc. So here goes.

This first video is a reminder that we may need to rethink how we do things.



A look at the future - with a British accent.



I know that this is not the most recent version of Did You Know?, but it's still my favorite.



If you haven't heard Taylor Mali, then this is a good time to start. What do you make?



A classic from TED. Sir Ken Robinson on schools and creativity.



Just a bit of motivation from a young Dallas student.



And a little bit more Taylor Mali.



Enjoy and pass them on!

Did You Know? - Updated

If you been to any of my presentations, you know that I often include the Karl Fisch classic "Did you know?" Well here's a nice updated version.

Change the Presentation, Not the Content

How can we engage today's students with our content - the same content that we've delivered for years? Perhaps it's as easy as changing the way we present it. I can't remember the last time that I paid attention to the pre-flight presentation on any airline, but this guy would have captured my attention:




What a lesson this provides for teachers that keep doing the same thing year in, and year out.

Hat tip to Richard Byrne.

What is my role? Learner, teacher, or both?

That is a question I often ask myself when considering where I fit in this movement toward providing today's kids with a 21st century education. Having only started teaching and thinking with this focus for about a year now, am I qualified to join the ranks of those that are teaching the teachers? So limited is knowledge of even the most basic web 2.0 tools on my campus that my year of experimentation positions me as a kind of expert at my school. That is great for building one's confidence, but then I engage with my growing PLN and the confidence begins to slip away.

Perhaps that's it. Engaging when no one else on campus is brings with it the responsibility to take on the role of leader and teacher. Are you facing any of the same questions? Do you have similar concerns and/or apprehensions? Or have you had to ask these questions? How did you handle your role? What role did you adopt? I love to hear your experiences.

What does smart mean today?

Thanks to Cathy Nelson for designing this great - and important - poster.